The LFD Off Road Thread

[utctscanr75]

Here is stock vs LFD 3/4 rack. The plastic cap ends on the stock units where the bolts are located are not usable for rails (red marks). The LFD 3/4 rack makes that space usable and adds maybe an inch or so in front between where the bolts mount and the edge of the sunroof. I’ve also attached a picture of my 60” hi-lift jack mounted on the rack to show that the previous post was correct in regards to 60” of mounting space (and with rear hatch up).

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[jtgrinsell]

Here is stock vs LFD 3/4 rack. The plastic cap ends on the stock units where the bolts are located are not usable for rails (red marks). The LFD 3/4 rack makes that space usable and adds maybe an inch or so in front between where the bolts mount and the edge of the sunroof. I’ve also attached a picture of my 60” hi-lift jack mounted on the rack to show that the previous post was correct in regards to 60” of mounting space (and with rear hatch up).

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Looks great, thanks for sharing. I'm getting ready to order my crossbars this week. Could you let me know what you used to mount your traction boards up there?

 

[krhayes79]

Here is stock vs LFD 3/4 rack. The plastic cap ends on the stock units where the bolts are located are not usable for rails (red marks). The LFD 3/4 rack makes that space usable and adds maybe an inch or so in front between where the bolts mount and the edge of the sunroof. I’ve also attached a picture of my 60” hi-lift jack mounted on the rack to show that the previous post was correct in regards to 60” of mounting space (and with rear hatch up).

Thank you so much for sharing.

If you had to do it over again, would you still go with the 3/4 or go up to the 7/8?

Also, I think I got the same Amazon traction boards so I'd also like to know how you mounted them.

 

[LFD_Off_Road]

I have the same set up as the previous person with 4 cross bars on stock side rails. Looking to add more length since we can't mount the cross bars to the front or rear of the stock side rails.

So, you are saying the 3/4 rack adds about 18 inches of usable storage space? Would it also be wise to get a 5th cross bar at that point?

Lastly, any summer sales coming up I should wait for before ordering?

Thx a bunch for the info!!!

I haven't measured the stock side rails in a while, but yes that sounds about right for the space increase. We've had several people do 3/4s with just 4 crossbars. Depends entirely on what you're planning to use it for. You can always add more later

We'll probably do something for the 4th, but haven't discussed it yet.

 

[utctscanr75]

Looks great, thanks for sharing. I'm getting ready to order my crossbars this week. Could you let me know what you used to mount your traction boards up there?

For the x-bull traction boards, I used a Stainless Steel 3/8' carriage bolts (5" long if you want to stack them on top of each other, 3" long if individual like I have them now) nuts, and washers from Home Depot. I also used rubber washers (off amazon) in between the bolt head/crossbar and between the SS washers/crossbars to prevent scratching/rust due to our strong winters here in Chicago. The aluminum bushings and knobs I got from McMaster.com at the recommendation from LFD (same knobs they supply with their hi lift mounts, see attached picture). DEFINITELY use anti-seize on the bolts to prevent galling and making them near impossible to remove if needed later.

 

[mteolus]

I have the stock rails and 5 crossbars. I have already installed a Hi-lift jack and 2 XBulls but I intend on installing Rotopax gas tanks, an awning, and maybe a shovel. It should all fit.

 

[SpeedyKevin]

I have the stock rails and 5 crossbars. I have already installed a Hi-lift jack and 2 XBulls but I intend on installing Rotopax gas tanks, an awning, and maybe a shovel. It should all fit.

Currently using 4 bars for wind fairing, Xbulls (stacked), Hilift, Shovel, and 2 rotos. Took some work to get it all to fit. If I could do it all over again, I'd get 5 bars.

 

[mteolus]

Currently using 4 bars for wind fairing, Xbulls (stacked), Hilift, Shovel, and 2 rotos. Think some work to get it all to fit. If I could do it all over again, I'd get 5 bars.

What size rotos? I was thinking about two 4 gallon ones stacked. That way I could either take 4 gallons or 8 gallons of gas. I guess you can get an extension if you stack two together so you can mount them?

 

[SpeedyKevin]

What size rotos? I was thinking about two 4 gallon ones stacked. That way I could either take 4 gallons or 8 gallons of gas. I guess you can get an extension if you stack two together so you can mount them?

I can fit two 2 gallons (or 2 more with extensions). Could probably fit a 4 gallon

 

[krhayes79]

I haven't measured the stock side rails in a while, but yes that sounds about right for the space increase. We've had several people do 3/4s with just 4 crossbars. Depends entirely on what you're planning to use it for. You can always add more later

We'll probably do something for the 4th, but haven't discussed it yet.

Thx so much for the help! I'll keep an eye out for a sale! Gonna pick up the 3/4 side rails and possible a 5th cross bar.

Does the side rails come with the hardware to mount the cross bars? I noticed they mount to the LFD side rails differently than the OEM side rails.

 

[Lost-Again]

That's why I'll eventually end up with the 7/8.

 

[LFD_Off_Road]

Thx so much for the help! I'll keep an eye out for a sale! Gonna pick up the 3/4 side rails and possible a 5th cross bar.

Does the side rails come with the hardware to mount the cross bars? I noticed they mount to the LFD side rails differently than the OEM side rails.

Yeah, if you put in the comments when you order the new side rails how many crossbars you have we'll include new hardware for them.

 

[Lost-Again]

So, I have a project in the morning.

 

[Lost-Again]

Install went easy. Not sure if the vinyl wrap caused issues or the 1st bar drew the rails together but I had to spread the the rails just a tad to fit the 2nd bar. Also instead of taking the mounts off and all that mess I just bumped the t-nuts ever so slightly on the grinder to flatten them just enough to fit though the slots.

I freakin love the bars! looking forward to next months purchase!

 

[Unretired]

Wheeling AOAA in Pennsylvania

Went with a local Toyota group to Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area in Pennsylvania - great venue. 100 miles of trails across 6500 acres. Best of all its old coal mine country so no VA/NC clay - you can actually wash it off. Lots of folks without skids, sliders or bumpers. I was a part time LFD salesman as people were checking out armor options. Hopefully you get some business @LFD and check out AOAA if you are an east coast person.

 

[kaitlyn2004]

I've never used roof storage in my history of driving, but see the potential in my future.

I'm very hesitant to totally remove the stock roof rails and dealing with leak sort of issues. Love the idea of these seemingly better-than-OEM crossbars which make them a bit more versatile.

I live in the PNW - salt isn't used a ton, but am near the ocean and whatnot. I would imagine the aluminum are the lightest but it also recommends NOT running them empty.

I would hope my crossbars could just be on 100% of the time, so minimal/no wind noise or MPG hit is ideal.


Most of the time they'll be empty, but I otherwise see using them for:
- A cargo/ski box
- Strapping long things that I can't carry inside
- For off-road/adventures, using it to hold necessary things

How do I choose between the crossbar material options?

 

[LFD_Off_Road]

I've never used roof storage in my history of driving, but see the potential in my future.

I'm very hesitant to totally remove the stock roof rails and dealing with leak sort of issues. Love the idea of these seemingly better-than-OEM crossbars which make them a bit more versatile.

I live in the PNW - salt isn't used a ton, but am near the ocean and whatnot. I would imagine the aluminum are the lightest but it also recommends NOT running them empty.

I would hope my crossbars could just be on 100% of the time, so minimal/no wind noise or MPG hit is ideal.


Most of the time they'll be empty, but I otherwise see using them for:
- A cargo/ski box
- Strapping long things that I can't carry inside
- For off-road/adventures, using it to hold necessary things

How do I choose between the crossbar material options?

If you're leaving any of them on full time empty, we do recommend getting the wind faring, its the only sure way to make sure they don't make noise.

The aluminums are rust resistant, but will flex with heavy loads. If you're doing anything heavy, the stainless steels (either painted or raw) are stronger but still won't rust.

 

[Unretired]

How do I choose between the crossbar material options?

I had the same thoughts as you.
I ended up going with stainless - no rust concerns and no noise concerns.
I ran two for a while at the marks on the stock rails where it suggests for minimal noise.
I carried a hi-lift, 4 x-bulls, and a shovel.
They worked fine and I could have stayed with two.
Noise wasn't an issue loaded or empty.

I decided I wanted to push the crossbars to the ends of the rails to be able to carry longer things (which wasn't really necessary).
I also added a 3rd crossbar in the middle to line up with the above gear.
Now noise was noticeable... Added a wind fairing and the noise went away.

How wide you need your bars is what really matters.
If you can keep them between the stock marks - 2 crossbars will probably meet your needs - you can get a lot on them.

 

[Lost-Again]

I went with steel. I haven't been on the highway yet but around town up to 45ish they've been silent. I buy lumber periodically so needed something stiff. I only carry roof items to the beach or Big Bend desert type stuff ie: high lift, long shovel, gas and/or water and keep the trax on the roof for easy access. When I went to Colorado I had a mini shovel and bottle jack in the back. I do plan on getting a fairing and other bars though. eventually ending up with the 7/8

Old photo using superstrut. The LFD bars are way nicer! Although I do believe I need an upgrade in the highlift mount department.

 

[Mountainboiler5280]

Do you know the current lead times for the 3/4 and 7/8 rails? I just picked up a CVT Mt. Denali and I want to go to a different system. I'm ok with using the factory rails for a little while, but not permanently.